Overview of Homeschooling in the UK

A quiet learning revolution is taking place across the United Kingdom. Beyond the traditional classroom setting, an increasing number of families are choosing to start on an educational journey that moves away from the school setting. In this blog post I explore the factors motivating this rise in homeschooling and its impact on families with children.

The appeal of educating children at home has found resonance among parents seeking a more flexible approach to their children’s education. Recent years have witnessed a significant uptick in the number of parents choosing to teach their children at home.

According to recent statistics, the homeschooling movement is gaining momentum. According to a publication issued by the Government, the data collected from UK local authorities (Elective home education) estimated that 80,900 children were being homeschooled in the Autumn of 2022, which increased to 86,200 in the following Spring of 2023-that’s a jump of over 5000 children in just 6 months.

Driving Forces Behind the Trend

The growing popularity of removing children from the school system in the UK is fuelled by a range of reasons. Gifted children in academics, athletics, or the arts often need additional and more challenging opportunities that traditional schools may not be able to offer. Being taught at home could mean that children receive sufficient stimulation and attention to nurture and develop their child’s specific strengths and interests.

For parents with children struggling in specific subjects such as Physics, it can offer a lifeline as they get targeted support and their challenges can be addressed directly.

Some families are dissatisfied with the quality of teaching or behaviour in their local school or face challenges securing a place at their preferred one. Some parents have children with specific learning or physical needs that cannot be adequately met in their local school.

Additionally, there are those who find the school environment too stressful for their children to thrive and fulfil their potential. Other families may decide to homeschool based on their philosophical or religious beliefs.

The Benefits of homeschooling

The positive impact of homeschooling on children is supported by various studies. According to one published in the Journal of Educational Research, home schoolers often outperform their traditionally schooled counterparts in standardised tests.

A survey conducted by the National Home Education Research Institute revealed that children taught at home tend to develop strong family bonds. The flexible nature of homeschooling allows families to spend more time together, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for children’s overall well-being.

Pros and Cons for Parents

While the benefits of teaching children at home are substantial, challenges do exist.

One could argue that collaborating with peers helps children learn different methods of conducting experiments or alternative ways of articulating themselves by listening to others.

In subjects like Religious Education, PSHE or English Literature, listening to other people’s opinions may encourage a child to be more tolerant of alternative points of view.

 A study published in the Journal of School Choice highlighted concerns about socialisation as a common challenge. Critics argue that children might miss out on the social interactions and diverse experiences offered in traditional schools.

However, research from the Peabody Journal of Education suggests that home-educated children often engage in various social activities outside of formal schooling. Participation in community events, sports, and extracurricular activities helps address the socialisation concerns, providing homeschooled children with ample opportunities to interact with other children their own age.

Homeschool Hotspots

Homeschooling has seen a global surge in popularity, with various countries embracing this alternative form of education. The top five countries where homeschooling is most popular are the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

The decision to homeschool varies within these countries, ranging from dissatisfaction with traditional education systems, to a desire for a more personalised and flexible learning environment.

In England, homeschooling has gained traction with certain counties showing higher rates in places such as Surrey, Kent, and Essex for the Academic year 2022/2023.

Surrey, for example, has a well-established home-education community, and parents often cite a desire for a more individualised education for their child as a primary motivation.

In Kent, some families opt for home education due to dissatisfaction with the local school system or a preference for a non-traditional approach to education.

Essex has also witnessed an increase, with parents expressing concerns about the mainstream educational environment.

Bullying or safety issues is another factor that parents consider when deciding to teach their child at home. A child’s well-being and safety are extremely important to consider and that has never been more of a priority than it is today.

The Legal Landscape

While it is legal and widely practiced in many countries, some nations impose restrictions or outright ban educating children entirely at home. Germany, for example, has strict regulations, and the practice of it is generally prohibited. The rationale behind such restrictions is often due to concerns regarding the potential lack of standardised education and socialisation opportunities for children taught at home.

It’s important to know the legal aspects of removing children from school by understanding the regulations and requirements in your country.  For example, in the UK you may be required to seek permission from your local authority before home educating.

 There are some good Facebook groups for families seeking to educate their children at home. These communities not only offer valuable advice but also serve as platforms for parents to share their experiences and learn from one another and to ask questions. One group that I think is worth looking into is Home Education and Home Schooling HELP and Support UK. It has close to 80 thousand members and is a very active group with parents of all different stages in home education asking questions or giving tips.

Contrasts in Finland and the UK

As of 2022, Finland reported a figure of 502 children being educated at home- which equates to 0.05 % of all Finnish children. Comparing that to UK figures of 1% in the same year, means that for every one child home-educated in Finland in that year, twenty children learnt at home in the UK. That’s a big difference! So I looked further into the Finnish school system to try to understand why there is such a disparity between the UK and Finland.

Finland is renowned for its education system which emphasises equality and a student-centred approach. Something that I hadn’t known was that they minimise dependence on standardised tests as the main gauge of educational achievement.

The Finnish system places high value on diverse evaluation methods, including teacher assessments, project-based learning, and formative evaluations. Finland’s commitment to a more holistic assessment method is widely seen as contributing to a less stressful learning environment for students. I have to say I think this sounds like a positive approach to assessment. I remember taking my exams vividly-it was always so stressful because my grades hinged on those exams alone and nothing else.

This is in contrast to education systems in other countries, where rigid exam-testing takes on a more pivotal role, carrying significant weight in end-of-year exam performance.

Finland prioritises teacher training and this is reflected in a highly qualified teaching workforce. This focus may contribute to a general trust in the expertise and abilities of teachers. This country’s reputation for social trust and equality may lead to a parental perception that the public education system effectively takes care of the diverse needs of students, potentially reducing the perceived necessity of having children educated at home.

Impact on Traditional Education

The growing trend extends beyond individual families. Educational institutions are prompted to reassess their strategies in the face of changing preferences, especially those of parents.

The rise of homeschooling signals a broader shift in how society, and particularly parents, view education, urging traditional systems to adapt and remain relevant in an evolving educational landscape. In the digital age it’s never been easier to learn- there are many online learning resources available to cater for different age groups, subjects and learning styles.

Embracing the Future

As more parents recognise the benefits of personalised learning, flexibility, and differentiated education for their children, the trend of deciding to education children at home is set to continue. Beyond the classroom, this growing movement signifies a reshaping of education in the UK, with parents at the forefront of reimagining the educational system that we have always known.

If you’re considering home-educating your daughter and need help with GCSE physics then you can send me an email at laura.ash@springphysics.co.uk and we can talk about how I might be able to help.